More Americans Drinking Alcohol, Study Shows

According to a recent study which the journal JAMA Psychiatry published this week, a larger number of American people are drinking alcohol. What’s more frightening is that there is also a growth when it comes to those people who drink way over the limit. Even up to a point when their habits become dangerous for themselves and for the people around. An agency for alcohol research reportedly sponsored this new study which analyzed the drinking habits of people between 2002 and 2013. After questioning thousands of American adults, the team reached the conclusion that over this period of time, people began drinking more alcohol. It’s even more worrying that women, older people and even some minorities also saw an increase in the drinking habits.

Americans drink more and it’s a problem

According to what the researchers have said, the fact the more people drink alcohol could mean that the country is exposed to a national health risk. Experts have linked excessive drinking to lots of problems, from diseases to mental issues. These categories do not include the violence, car crashes and sometimes even murders committed by drunk people. It’s interesting to note that an older study showed that the drinking habits of people decreased from 1970s up until the 1990s. After that, those numbers began growing again. In 2013, about three quarters of people in the United States admitted they drank alcohol within the last year. Each particular group of people registered an increase, but it was more obvious in women, older people and minorities.

The same study suggests that women nowadays consume over four drink each day, while men consume over five. And this reportedly happens every week of the year, which is extremely worrying. There is also the problem of abusive drinking up to the point where it causes life problems. For example, divorces, the inability to take care of children or even trouble with the law. It can also lead to a dependence of alcohol which often needs professional treatment.

Worrying numbers

It’s still a mystery why those older people have begun drinking more than in the past. Still, the fact that they do is a very big problem. Older adults are vulnerable to more health issues and sometimes, alcohol consumption can even cause death.